Bag-condition indicator for suction cleaners



.Oct. 3, 1939. D. e. SMELLIE BAG-CONDITION INDICATOR FOR SUCTION CLEANERS Filed June 20, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Donald 6. Smellie JVEa ATTORNEY Oct. 3, 1939. D. e. SMELLIE BAG-CONDITION INDICATOR FOR SUCTION CLEANERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 20, 1958 INVENTOR Donald G Smellie GET/52am: i,

ATTORNEY Oct. 3, 1939. D. e. SMELLIE BAG-CQNDITION INDICATOR FOR SUCTION CLEANERS Filed June 20, 1938 4 Shee ts-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Donald G. Smellie ATTORNEY Oct. 3, 1939. D. G. SMELLIE BAG-CONDITION- INDICATOR FOR sucnou CLEANERS 4' Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 20, 1938 oooommgw 00000 ooooo@@ oooooo@@@ 0000000@@ INVENTOR Donald G. Smellie ATTORN EY Patented Oct. 3, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BAG-CONDITION INDICATOR FOB SUCTION CLEANERS Donald G. Smellie, Canton, Ohio, assignor to The Hoover Company, North Cantomohio, a corporation of Ohio Application June 20, 1938 Serial No. 214,679 Claims. (CL 183-36) dirt bag or receptacle requires emptying and thus avoiding continued operation of the cleaner under conditions that reduce thecleaning effectiveness of the suction system.

For the most part, these indicators have been of the pressure-responsive type and as such respond only to variations in pressure conditions within the receptacle, and while this type of indicator is quite satisfactory and dependable, there may be occasions when an excess pressure may be indicated due to conditions not attributable directly to an excessive amount of dirt within the dirt bag. Then again, the nature of the dirt may vary considerably in different localities and at different seasons of the year, so that the weight of the dirt might well be as much a factor in determining the intervals between emptying as its volume. Hence, it is conceived that in order to indicate the true conditions within a dirt receptacle, the indicator should be constructed to respond to the increase in weight as well as to the increase in pressure due to an excessive volume of the contents.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an indicator which is responsive to both pressure and weight of contents, depending on which condition predominates.

, A preferred embodiment 01' an indicator of the combined pressure and weight responsive type is disclosed in the accompanying drawings, in which:

' Figure 1 is a top plan view of a suction cleaner of the type in which the dirt-laden air is discharged into a filter bag from which the dirt drops by gravity into a removable collecting receptacle, the latter having associated therewith, a combined weight and pressure responsive indioatorj Figure 2 Ba general view in side elevation to show the arrangement of the filter bag and removable dirt receptacle in which is incorporated the pressure and weight responsive indicating device;

' Figure 3 is an enlarged'detailed view in longitudinal section taken through the dirt receptacle on the line 3-3 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is an enlarged view in cross section taken on line 4,4 ofFigure 3;

Figure 5 is a detail view in perspective to show the connection between the pressure and weight responsive levers and the signal arm;

Figure 6 is a general view in side elevation of a modmed arrangement of pressure and weight responslve indicator;

Figure '7 is an enlarged detail view in longitudinal section through the dirt filtering and 001- lecting portion of the cleaner shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a detail view in cross section taken on hne 8-8 of Figure 7; and

Figures 9 and 10 are enlarged fragmentary L views showing the manner in which the indicating mechanism functions under weight and pressure, respectively.

Referring to es 1 and 2, the preferred form of pressure d weight responsive indicating device is applied in conjunction with the dirt collecting receptacle of a suction cleaner in which the dirt receptacle is part of a unitary assembly including the fan chamber and motor housing, all'of which rotate about a horizontal transverse axis.

Thus, a wheeled carriage or frame I supports the main casing 2 including for the most part the nozzle portion extending transversely across the front of the carriage and a pair of rearwardly extending sections 20 which embrace the ends of a cylindric housing 3 and are suitably supported at their ends by the wheeled frame I. The

housing 3 is journalled at its ends in trunnions 4," 4 on the wheeled carriage I, whereby the entire motor, 'fan chamber and dirt handling system,

including a handle, form a unit rotating about. a horizontal transverse axis.

Extending rearwardly from the top of the cylindric housing 3 is a hood 5, rectangular in crosssection and consisting of top and side wall portions, as shown in Figure 4. The hood terminates in a flanged plate 6, which forms the main support for the handle I extending at right angles from its upper central portion and also as a mounting for the lower end oi a filter bag 8 supported beneath the handle I.

The hood 5 and its flanged end plate 6 are preferably cast integral with the cylindric housing 3, one end or which forms a fan chamber from which extends an exhaust outlet passage 9, in-

tegral with and extending along one side and the top of the hood 5 and terminating in a rectangular-shaped port formed in the plate 6 at one side of the handle and surrounded by a flange 90, as shown in Figure 4. The filter bag 8 has a separateinletneckportion 8a which registers with and seats over the flanged port at the outer end of the exhaust passage 9 and immediately adjacent thereto the bag has a considerably larger rectangular-shaped outlet fitting! l, which is removably clamped to the outer face of the platet and in registerwith a large rectangular-shaped opening So just below the handle and the outlet to the bag 8. Finally, mounted within the downwardly facing cavity formed by the hood is a removable container or receptacle I2 havingits open upper end seating around the underside of the opening or passage (in. through the plate 6 and held in place by a suitable spring-clip I3.

With the arrangement just described, the dirtladen air discharged from the fan chamber enters the filter bag 8 through the inlet neck portion 8a, the velocity of the air stream carrying the dirt to the upper end of the bag and, upon losing its momentum, drops by gravity to the lower end of the bag and eventually is deposited in the imperforate collecting receptacle I2.

Such is the general construction. of the cleaner to which the indicator is preferably applied, al-

though it may be mentioned in passing that a pressure and weight responsive indicator may be incorporated into any type of cleaner, although the particular arrangement and method of mounting may have to be determined accordingly. Thus, in the present disclosure, the pressure and weight responsive elements of the indicator have been included in the removable dirt container I2 and which, under normal operating conditions, assumes an inclined position of approximately 45 to the horizontal so that it is gradually filled from the filter bag above, which serves primarily as an air filter.

Referring now to the dirt collecting receptacle I2, the same may be assumed to be a metal container open at one end andof a general rectangular contour. At the bottom of the receptacle I2 is located what might be termed a false bottom in the form of a plate I4 hinged along one edge to what would be the top wall of the receptacle. Between the plate I4 and the end wall of the receptacle is a coiled spring I5 acting tooppose the movement of the plate under the weight of the dirt in the receptacle. And, to prevent the dirt from working around the edges of the hinged plate, a bellows-like wall of rubber or fabric I6 surrounds the edges of the plate and is suitably attached to the adjacent walls of the receptacle. Also, there is a screened vent I4a at the center of the plate I4 to equalize the air pressure on both sides thereof. The plate I4 is supported from the top wall of the receptacle by a simple form of hinge as at I1 and extending forwardly therefrom and substantially parallel with said top wall is a finger Ila formed integral with the hinged plate I4 and projecting substantially at right angles thereto. This flnger IIa is free to move in a limited arc and within a cavity forming apart of the space below the plate I4 and defined in part by a flanged partition wall .|8 supporting the upper edge of the bellows I6 surrounding the plate I4.

Inserted in the outer wall of the receptacle I2 and immediately above the finger I'Ia is a circular diaphragm I9 carrying at its central point a contact pin I9a with its one end portion projecting inwardly in contact with the finger Na and its ing a shaft 20b between their ends. On this shaft are journalled three levers, namely, a relatively long lever 2| extending rearwardly with its free end in contact with the pin I 9a at the center of the diaphragm I9, a forwardly extending signal arm 22, and a forwardly extending but relatively short and stubby lever 23. The signal arm 22 is included between the lever arms 2| and 23 and all have cylindric hub portions in interlocking connection with each other by an arrangement of interconnected arcuate notches and dogs, as will presently be described. This system of levers is held underthe pressure of a torsion spring 24 acting on the lever 2| to force it downwardly into contact with the contact pin I9a of the diaphragm I9.

The signal arm 22 extends forwardly toward the flanged end plate 6 of the hood 5 and terminates just opposite an aperture or window 25 at one side of the handle mounting. The signal arm 22 has its extreme end portion bent at right angles to form a target 22a adapted to register with the aperture when the lever arm is in elevated position. Otherwise, it is held in lowered or depressed position with the target out of register with the window. As clearly shown in Figure 3, a light coil spring 26 holds the signal arm 22 in its non-operative position and against a shoulder 21 positioned just below the aperture 25.

Now, to complete the weight-actuated portion of the indicating device, the hub portion 2Ia of the lever arm'Zl has a dog 28 projecting endwise from its inner face and engages an arcuate notch 29 in the opposite face of the hub 22b of the signal arm 22, this notch being formed by removing a sector of approximately 90 from the hub, as clearly shown in Figure 5. The dog 28 is substantially one-half the circumferential dimension of the notch 29 and as a consequence there is a limited relative rotative movement permitted be tween the two levers 2| and 22,.the extent of this movement being substantially an arc of 45. Thus, with the lever 2| in its normal position, as shown in Figure 3, its dog 28 contacts the yertical face of the notch 29 so that any movement of the lever 2| in a downward direction swings the signal arm 22 with it, although the signal arm is free to swing in a counter-clockwise direction and through an arc of about 45, independently of said lever 2|. Hence, it follows that so long as the hinged bottom plate I4 within the dirt receptacle I2 is not displaced by the weight of the contents of the receptacle, the lever arm 2| re mains in its normal position and the signal arm in its non-signalling position, as clearly shown in Figure 3. But as soon as the weight of the .contents of the receptacle overcomes the resistance offered by the coil spring I5, the hinged bottom plate I4 is depressed, thus allowing the contact plug |9a to be displaced endwise and the lever arm 2| under-the tension of the torsion spring 24, now swings the signal arm upwardly into the dotted line position, in which the target at its extreme end comes into register with the window 25. This target is preferably colored in some bright or contrasting color, such as red or white and'hence is readily observed by the operator from above.

Now, to complete the indicating mechanism, the means for actuating the signal arm by variations in pressure within the receptacle I 2 includes the operating lever 23, which has already been identified as the short forwardlyexte'nding lever journalled on the opposite side of the signal arm 22 from the rearwardly extending lever 2|, as

clearly shown in Figure 5. The lever arm 23 has the same form of connection with the signal arm 22 as previously described in connection with the lever arm 2|, namely, a dog 3| projecting from the inner face of its hub portion 23a and riding in an arcuate notch 32 in the end face of the hub 22b of the signal arm 22. In the same manner also, the signal arm 22 and the shorter lever 23' have a relative angular displacement of about so that the signal arm can be raised and lowered through the movement of the weight-responsive lever 2| without carrying with it the pressureresponsive lever 23.

Immediately below the outer end of the short lever arm 23 and set into the top wall of the receptacle I2, is an annular diaphragm 33 having a centrally disposed contact pin 33a against which the end of the lever arm 23 bears. This diaphragm 33 is preferably a rubber disc corrugated annularly and capable of being distorted when the pressure within the receptacle exceeds a predetermined amount, due to an excess of dirt and line accumulated in the filter bag 8 above.

Thus assuming that such a condition is brought about due to the failure of the operator to empty the bag, and assuming further that the character of the dirt and litter within the bag is comparatively light and therefore does not have sufficient weight to displace the false bottom plate I4, this excessive pressure will distort the diaphragm 33 in an outwardly direction and lift the lever arm 23 sufficiently to raise the signal arm 22 into its signalling position and in the same way that the depression of the false bottom plate l4 operates the signal arm and warns the operator that the receptacle and bag should be emptied of their contents.

But it is important to note that while the weight-responsive element and the pressure-responsive element are both operatively connected with the signal arm, they function independently of each other, which means that whichever condition becomes the more acute, the warning signal will be displayed in response to that condition. In other words, the signal will appear either when there is an excessive weight of contents or excessive pressure due to too large a volume of dirt and litter but yet not heavy enough to be registered by the indicating device. As previously suggested, the idea of a combined weight and pressure actuated signal mechanism might well partake of different forms and methods of application and for this reason, it is thought desirable to disclose a modified type=of pressure indicating device applied to a cleaner of the type having anfilter member enclosed within a casing and into whichthe dirt-laden air is' discharged.

Thus, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, a cylindric casing 35 is supported in horizontal position and has a nozzle fitting 36 mounted at its forward end and suitably attached for quick access to the interior of the casing. Extending lengthwise of the forward section of the casing is a cylindric filter member 31 perferably made of a porous fabric. The filter member 31 includes an annular frame 31a at its open end, said frame having a radial flange adapted to be clamped between the marginal portions of the casing and the nozzle fitting 36. The remaining portion of the filter member 31 is supported by a light metal frame consisting of a bar 38 extending lengthwise along the] bottom ,of the'c'asing 35 and hinged atits forward end on a bracket 38a. The outer free end of the bar 38 is supported by a coil spring 33 which in turn rests upon the bottom of the casing 35; and carried at the outer end of the bar 38 is a light metal perforated disc 40 flanged on its inner face and adapted to provide a seat for the outer end of the filter member 31. The disc assumes an upright position at the end of the bar 38, and is connected thereto by a hinged connection at 4|, which includes a torsion spring 41a acting to counter-balance any force tending to swing the disc outwardly and in a clockwise direction.

Riveted to a supporting bracket 40a at the top of the disc 40 is a light metal frame 42 generally U-shaped, with its central portion extending transversely of the casing 35. Of the two upright end portions of the frame 42, one provides a long arm 42a inclined slightly in a forward direction, and the other a somewhat shorter arm 42b, extending in a slightly rearwardly inclined direction. Immediately above the bracket 42 is a dome 43 formed in the wall of the casing 35 and having a window or aperture 43a facing in a generally upward direction. The dome forms a semi-circular-shaped cavity opening downwardly into the casing 35 and extending transversely and positioned symmetrically with respect to the center thereof, is a transverse bearing pin 44 on which are journalled a pair of levers 45 and 46, together with signal member 41 positioned intermediate the levers. And finally, there is a torsion spring 48 coiled. around the hub portion of one of the levers 46 and having one of its free ends anchored by means ofa fixed lug 49 on one side of the dome and its other free end hooked around the forward edge of the signal arm 41.

Now, to avoid an unnecessary repetition of descriptive matter, it may be stated at this point that the relationship and interconnection between the levers 45 and 46 and signal member 41 practically duplicates that employed in the previously described arrangement and for the same purpose, namely, to permit the signal member 41 to be operated by either of the operating levers 45 or 46 but independently of each other. ,To

make this action clear, it is only necessary to point out that one of the operating levers 45 extends forwardly and in a horizontal direction and has a pin and slot connection with the longer arm 42a of the frame 42. The other arm 46 projects downwardly and rearwardly and has a pin and slot connection with the shorter arm 42b of the frame 42.

With this arrangement in mind, it may be assumed that the filter member 31 is empty and the cleaner is put into operation. Under these conditions, the filter member 31 is free to contract slightly in a longitudinal direction under the pressure of the hinged end plate 40 and the parts of the indicating device are positioned so that the signal arm 41 is swung rearwardly just beyond the window opening 43a, as shown in Figure 7. Now, as the dirt-laden air continues to be discharged into the filter member, the dirt is retained, while the air passes through the'walls thereof and eventually into the atmosphere and, if the dirt happens to be largely sand or heavy particles, it will form a layer along the bottom of the filter member, or, if the dirt consists largely of lint and other litter, it will gradually fill the filter member and reduce its effective filtering area.

'Under the first set of conditions, the weight of the dirt content would in time overcome'the support offered by the compression spring 39 to the free end of the hinged bar 38, thus allowing the u ber 31.

same to be depressed'bodily. And with the depression of the bar 38, the disc 40 would be displaced in a vertical downward direction with the result that the forwardly extending lever would be pulled downwardly through an angle of approximately 45 and thereby swinging the signal arm 41 into its signalling position beneath the window 43a, as clearly shown in Figure 9. During this movement of the signal arm and the vertical displacement of the frame 42, it will be noted that the other lever 46 retains its normal position with its pin and slot connection with the lever 42b acting in the capacity of a slipjoint.

But now, let it be assumed that the second set of conditions exists, namely, the filter member becomes filled and the internal pressure builds up to such a point that the filter member is extended longitudinally and against the resistance offered by the hinged end plate 40. As this longitudinal expansion takes place, the end plate swings outwardly and shifts the frame 42 bodily with it, as shown in Figure 10. In this instance, lever arm 46 swings in a counter-clockwise direction through an angle of 45, and this movement being imparted to the signal arm 41,

brings it into register with the window43a and in the same manner that. it was shifted by the weight-actuated lever 45, as previously described. And again, no movement is imparted to the other lever 45 since the pin engaging the longitudinal slot therein simply slides from the forward to the rear end thereof while the lever remains stationary.

It may be added that the cleaner embodying the modified form of indicating mechanism is preferably of the type in which the filter unit and dirt collector is on the suction side of the fan, that is, the fan chamber is located beyond the portion of the casing 35 housing the filter mem- Thus, beyond the closed end of the filter member, is a partition wall having a central aperture 50a. forming the inlet to the fan chamber beyond, in which is located the fan 5| and a portion of the motor 52 which drives the fan. At the rear end of the casing 35 is an exhaust outlet-53' to the atmosphere consisting of a semi-circumferentially arranged port covered by a screen supporting frame. The motor 52 projects beyond the end of the casing 35 and at its rear end is mounted a caster 54 coacting with a pair of forwardly disposed wheels 55, 55 to support the cleaner. A handle 56 is pivotally mounted at the rear end of the cleaner and is provided with a U-shaped bail 55a straddling the extended portion of the motor.

The modified arrangement is perhaps a somewhat simpler form of the two-fold weight and pressure-responsive type of indicator, but obviously the same structural features are to be 'found in both, as well as the same advantages, namely, that of. providing means for warning the operator when the dirt receptacle or filter member should be emptied but not depending on increased pressure as the sole index of conditions on the pressure side of the suction systern and which directly aflect its cleaning emciency, And a particular advantageous feature of this arrangement is that while both the weight 6 andpressure-responsive elements have operative the signal member regardless of what other cohdition may exist.

Having set forth a preferred and modified embodiment of the invention, I claim:

21. In a bag condition indicator for suction cleaners, the combination with suction-creating means having an exhaust outlet and a dirt receptacle communicating with said exhaust outlet, of means responsive to a predetermined degree of pressure and weight of contents within said receptacle, and a signal member operatively connected with said pressure and weight-responsive means.

2. In a bag condition indicator for suction cleaners, the combination with suction-creating means, of a dirt receptacle communicating with the exhaust from said suction-creating means, a signal member shiftable into and out of signalling position, pressure and weight-responsive elements adapted to function under predetermined pressure' and weight of contents within said receptacle, respectively, and means for operatively connecting said pressure and weightresponsive elements with said signal member but independently of each other.

3. In a bag condition indicator for suction cleaners, the combination with suction-creatin means and a dirt receptacle communicating with said suction-c ting means, of a signal member shiftable into a d out of signalling position, a pressure-responsive element operatively connected with said signal member and responsive to predetermined pressure conditions in said receptacle, a weight-actuated member operatively connected with said signal member and responsive to a predetermined weight of contents within said receptacle, and means permitting said. signal member to be shifted into signalling position by either one of said pressure and weight-responsive elements functioning independently of each other.

4. In an operating condition indicator for suction cleaners, the combination of suction-creating means, of a dirt receptacle communicating with said suction-creating means and provided with resilient portions, one being yieldable in response to a predetermined increase in pressure within said receptacle and the other in response to the .weight of a predetermined amount of dirt deposited therein, a signal member including an oscillating arm mounted adjacent said receptacle, and a pair of levers each operatively connected with said signal arm and one-of each having operative connection with said pressure and weight yieldable portions of said receptacle. 5. In an operating condition indicator for suction cleaners, the combination of suction-creating means, a filter receptacle communicating with said suction-creating means and having a yieldable support permitting its displacement in different directions under conditions of predetermined internal pressure and weight of contents deposited therein, a signal member adapted to be shifted into and out of signalling position, and a pair of lever arms operatively connected with said receptacle, one of said lever arms being movable by the displacement of said receptacie under pressure, the other being movable by the displacement of said receptacle under the weight of its contents, both of said levers being operatively connected with said signal member, whereby its movement into signalling position by one is independent of its connection with the other of said levers.

' DONALD G. SMELLIE. 

